The diamond drill. (Crystal Falls, Iron County, Mich.) 1887-1996, 1887-05-28
TALMAGE'S SERMON.


Rev. T. Dewitt Talmsge recently de-
iivered the following in the Brooklyn Tab
ernacle. taking for his text: 'Watchman,
what OF the nights" Isaiah xxi IL
When night came down on Babylon,
Ninevah and Jerusalem. they needed
careful watching, otherwise the in
cendiary's torch might have been thrust
into the very heart of the metropolitan
splendor; or enemies, marching from
the hills. might have forced the gates.
All night long. on top of the wall and
In front OF the gates might be heard
the measured step OF the Waterman on
his solitary beat; silence hung in the
air, save as some passer by raised the
question: "Watchman. watch OF the
nightg"
1t Is to me deeply suggestive and
solemn thing TO see man standing
guard by night. 1t thrilled through
me, as at the gate OF an arsenal at
Charleston, the question once smote
me: "who comes there?" followed by
the sharp command: Advance and
give the countersign." Every moral
teacher stands on picket, or patrols the
wall as Waterman. His work Is to
sound the alarm; and whether II be in
thu first watch, In the second watch, in
the third watch, OF in the fourth watch,
to be vigilant until the day-break
filings its "morning glories" OF bloom
ing cloud across the arching trellis of
the sky.
The ancients divided their night into
-. 49, atcN from, * m
9; the second, from 9 TO II; the third,
from II 10 3; and the fourth, from 3
TO d.
speak now of the city in the third
watch, OF from - TO 3 o'clock.
never weary Of looking upon the
life and brilliancy. of the city in the
first watch. That Is the hour when the
stores are closing. The laboring men,
having quilted the scaffolding and the
shop, are on their way home. IL re-
joices me to give them my seat in the
city car. They have stood and ham
mered away all day. Their feet are
weary. They are exhausted with the
tug of work. They are mostly cheer
full. With appetities sharpened on the
swift turner's wheel and the carpen-
ter's milestone. they seek the evening
meal. The clerks. too, have broken
away from the counter, and with brain
weary OF the long lines of figures and
the whims of those who go a-shopping
seek the face of mother, or wife and
child. The boys that lock up are
heaving away at the shutters, showing
the heavy bolts and taking last look
at the fire 10 see that all Is safe. The
streets are thronged with young men
setting out from the great centers OF
bargain making.
A few hours later, and all the places
of amusement, good and bad, are In
/ full tide. Lovers Of art, catalogue In
hand, stroll through the galleries and
discuss the pictures. The ball room II
resplendent with the rich apparel OF
those who, on either side Of the white
glistening boards, await the sigma
from the orchestra. The footlights o.
the theater flash up; the bell rings
and the curtain rises; and out from
the gorgeous scenery glide the actors
greeted with the vociferation Of th'
expectant multitudes. Concert halls
are lifted into enchantment with tn,
MARBLE OF one songstress, or swept on
on a sea of tumultuous feeling by tn,
blast of brazen instruments. Draw
ing rooms are filled with all graceful
ness of apparel, with all sweetness o
sound, with all splendor of manner
mirrors are catching up and multiply
ing the scene, until IL seems as III II
infinite corridors there were garlandet
groups advancing and retreating.
But the clock strikes IL and tn
third watch has begun.
The thunder OF the city has role,
out of the air. The slightest sound
cut the night with such distinctness a
TO attract your attention. The tink
ling OF the bell Of the street car In tn
distance, and the baying Of the dog
The stamp OF horse In the mex
street; the slamming of saloon door
the hiccough OF the drunkard; tn
shrek OF the steam whistle five mile
away. O, how suggestive, my friends
the third watch OF the night.
There are honest men passing N
and down the street. Here Is "A cit,
missionary who has been carrying
scuttle OF coal TO that poor family II
that dark place. Here is an under
taker going up the steps of building
from which comes a bitter cry whic
indicates that the destroying angel Ia
smitten the first born. Here Is min
lister Of religion who has been giyin
the sacrament 20 dying Christian